Migration is on for monarch butterflies, becoming even more pronounced during our recent Indian Summer weather. / Rob Zimmer/Post-Crescent Media

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Post-Crescent Media

Our recent warm spell has resulted in the sightings of many migration monarchs throughout our area. While peak migration is usually during September, monarchs continue to migrate well into October in eastern Wisconsin, especially along the Lake Michigan shores.

At several shoreline locations, large monarch roosts, or areas where these butterflies gather in larger numbers overnight on their journey south, can be found.

Monarchs also gather in lakeshore gardens where late-blooming annuals and perennials offer precious nectar for their journey south.

A great place to see migrating monarchs is at West of the Lake Gardens, in Manitowoc, where vast display beds of annuals and perennials attract dozens, even hundreds of monarchs during peak migration.

Monarchs during migration generally travel between 50-100 miles per day on their voyage south. Monarchs east of the Rockies travel to the mountains of central Mexico where they congregate in amazing numbers among the giant fir trees there, becoming dormant in the cool, mountain air. Monarchs generally west of the Rockies winter in California. Many remain active all year where conditions are warmer.